Why Everything You Buy Is Getting Much Worse: 22 Photos That Prove it (Video)

In this 19 September 2026 published video, host Michael Bordenaro talks about 22 examples of enshittification (the process where online platforms and services gradually decline in quality as they chase maximum profits) which illustrate why our daily services feel like they are getting worse.

From deteriorating product durability to the erosion of digital platforms, we examine how the concept of enshittification is reshaping our expectations of modern life. This video breaks down specific instances where corporate cost-cutting has led to a noticeable decline in quality for everyday items and services.

By analyzing these photos, we can better understand the broader trend of declining quality affecting various sectors. We look at the practical impact this shift has on your consumer experience and what it means for the future of the products we rely on daily.

The sensation that every consumer product is getting worse is not just an illusion or nostalgia—it is a documented reality driven by structural shifts in modern manufacturing, corporate finance, and consumer behavior. Over the last decade, the lifecycle, durability, and material quality of everything from apparel to household appliances have sharply declined. 

A major driver of declining quality is corporate restructuring. When independent, trusted brands are bought out by private equity firms or large conglomerates, the new owners often prioritize short-term profit margins over long-term brand legacy. 

New corporate management explicitly “mines” the trust built by a brand over decades. They cut manufacturing costs, swap in cheaper materials, and ride out the brand’s positive reputation until it becomes a husk of what it once was. Decisions are increasingly made by executives in corporate offices who have no direct relationship to where the product is manufactured or the loyal customers who buy them. 

Faced with inflation and supply chain pressures, companies rely on hidden strategies to cut costs without explicitly raising the price tag. Skimpflation occurs when companies quietly replace high-quality components with cheaper, inferior alternatives. For instance, clothing brands have shifted heavily from natural fibers (like cotton and wool) to cheap synthetic materials like polyester, while also eliminating functional details like deep pockets, linings, and durable zippers. Globalized manufacturing focuses heavily on speed and volume over rigorous quality control. Companies anticipate a certain percentage of defective goods and simply gamble on the fact that many consumers won’t bother with the return process. 

Tech and appliance industries have fundamentally changed their business models to trap consumers in a cycle of perpetual replacement. Products are intentionally designed with fragile components or finite lifespans to force repeat purchases. Unlike older appliances that could be fixed with basic tools, modern electronics are built to prevent repair. Glued-in lithium-ion batteries, soldered RAM in laptops, and highly fragile smart-TV motherboards mean that fixing a broken device is often more expensive than buying a brand-new one. 

E-commerce and massive online marketplaces like Amazon have fundamentally altered how goods are discovered and sold. On major retail sites, the top search results are rarely the highest quality or best value; they are simply the sellers who paid the most for ad space. True high-quality options are frequently buried pages deep. The rise of lookalike products, dropshipped goods, and AI-generated fake reviews makes it incredibly difficult for a consumer to accurately gauge product quality before purchasing. 

Part of the shift is also driven by consumer expectations. Decades of ultra-cheap, mass-produced goods have conditioned consumers to prioritize low prices and immediate convenience over longevity. To keep up with demand for rapid cycles of new styles and gadgets, companies prioritize rapid, low-cost assembly over craftsmanship. 

https://youtu.be/yFLiLkvdZOg